Companies House Scam Letter UK: How to Spot and Report It
Fake Companies House letters are designed to look official and urgent — but real Companies House communications rarely demand immediate payment by post.
What is this scam?
Companies House scam letters are fraudulent postal communications that impersonate the UK government's official company registration body. Scammers send these letters to business owners, company directors, and sole traders, claiming the recipient owes money for company registration, annual filing fees, compliance updates, or business licences. The letters are designed to look official, often using Companies House branding, official-sounding language, and urgent language to pressure recipients into paying quickly. Some versions demand payment by bank transfer, cheque, or credit card; others ask for personal or business information such as bank details, company registration numbers, or director details.
The goal is either to steal money directly or to harvest personal data for identity theft or further fraud. These scams are particularly effective because Companies House is a real, trusted government body, and many business owners are unfamiliar with exactly how Companies House communicates.
Warning signs to look for
- The letter demands urgent payment of a fee or penalty to a personal or non-government bank account — Companies House does send genuine letters (such as filing reminders), but it will never ask you to pay fees to a personal account.
- It uses threatening language such as 'immediate action required', 'your company will be struck off within days', or 'legal action will follow' — and in particular threatens immediate strike-off simply for non-payment of a fee, which the real Companies House does not do.
- The letter asks you to pay by gift card, by card over the phone, or via a link in the message — these are not how genuine Companies House fees are paid.
- It requests sensitive information such as your full bank details, passwords, or director's personal address — Companies House already holds your filing information and will not ask you to confirm it this way.
- The sender's address or contact details do not match the official Companies House address, or the letter includes a personal mobile number or non-government email address.
- The letter contains spelling, grammar, or formatting errors, or uses unusual fonts or logos that look slightly off — scammers often copy official designs imperfectly.
- It claims you have missed a deadline or owe a fee you do not recognise — log in to your Companies House account to verify any genuine outstanding obligations.
- The letter offers a discount or special offer if you pay immediately — genuine government bodies do not use sales tactics.
How this scam works step by step
The scam typically begins when a business owner or company director receives an official-looking letter in the post. The letter claims the recipient's company has failed to file accounts, renew its registration, or comply with a new regulation, and demands payment of a fee — often between £50 and £500 — to avoid penalties or strike-off. The letter includes a sense of urgency, sometimes with a deadline of a few days. It directs the recipient to pay by bank transfer to a named account, or to call a phone number to arrange payment.
Some versions ask the recipient to visit a website or click a link to 'verify' their company details, which leads to a fake Companies House portal designed to steal login credentials or personal information. Once the recipient pays or provides information, the scammer either disappears with the money or uses the stolen data to commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts, or launch further scams. In some cases, the scammer may follow up with additional letters or calls, claiming the payment was not received and demanding payment again.
How to verify if it is genuine
If you receive a letter claiming to be from Companies House, do not respond to any contact details in the letter. Instead, log in directly to your Companies House account or the Companies House service on GOV.UK (gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house) — do not click any links in the letter. Check your account to see if there are any genuine outstanding filings, fees, or compliance issues. If you do not have an online account, you can create one for free using your company registration number. You can also call Companies House directly using the number on their official GOV.UK page.
Companies House does contact companies by post and by email, but it will never demand urgent payment of penalties or fees to a personal or non-government bank account, by card over the phone, by gift card, or via a link in a message, and it will never threaten immediate strike-off simply for non-payment of a fee. If the letter claims you owe a fee you do not recognise, verify it through your own account rather than the letter. Be especially cautious of letters that use urgent language or threaten legal action — these are classic scam tactics.
What to do if you have already interacted
If you have already responded to the scam letter, act quickly. If you provided bank details, contact your bank immediately on the number on the back of your card and explain that you may have been scammed; your bank can monitor your account for fraudulent activity and may be able to stop a payment if it has not yet cleared. If you paid money by bank transfer or cheque, contact your bank and ask if the payment can be recalled or reversed — this is sometimes possible if the payment is recent.
If you provided personal information such as your date of birth, address, or company registration number, monitor your credit file using a free service such as TransUnion or Experian to watch for signs of identity theft. If you clicked a link in the letter and entered your Companies House login details, change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication on your account if available. Do not send any further money or information to the sender. Keep the original letter and any related emails or messages as evidence for reporting.
Reporting this scam in the UK
Report the scam to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud reporting service, by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting their website. Provide as much detail as possible, including the sender's address, any bank account details mentioned in the letter, and the date you received it. If the letter included a link or email address, report it to the NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk. If you received a text message as part of the scam, forward it to 7726 (free from any UK mobile).
You can also report the scam to Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for additional support and advice. If you have lost money, ask Action Fraud for a crime reference number, which you will need if you want to claim compensation or dispute a payment with your bank. Report the scam to Companies House directly through their official website so they are aware of the impersonation and can issue warnings to other businesses. Keep copies of all evidence, including the letter, emails, and any payment confirmations.
Frequently asked questions
Is Companies House a legitimate organisation?
Yes, Companies House is the UK government's official company registration body and is completely legitimate. However, scammers regularly impersonate it by sending fake letters and emails. If you are unsure whether a communication is genuine, log into your Companies House account directly using the official website or call the number on their website — never use contact details from the letter itself.
What should I do if I have already sent money to the scammers?
Contact your bank immediately on the number on the back of your card and explain that you may have been scammed. If the payment was by bank transfer and has not yet cleared, your bank may be able to recall it. If the payment has already cleared, ask your bank about a chargeback or reversal. Report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and get a crime reference number, which you will need if you want to claim compensation. Do not send any further money.
Can I check if my company actually owes Companies House any money?
Yes. Log in to your Companies House account on the Companies House service on GOV.UK with your company registration number. Your account will show any outstanding filings, fees, or compliance deadlines. If you do not have an online account, you can create one for free. If the letter claims you owe a fee that does not appear in your account, it is almost certainly a scam. You can also call Companies House directly using the number on their official GOV.UK page to verify.
How do I report a Companies House scam letter?
Report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting their website. If the letter included a link or email address, also report it to the NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk. Keep the original letter as evidence. You can also report the scam to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 for additional support.